Sensing coded periphery of objects

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for sensing notches in the periphery of objects wherein an object is inserted into the apparatus until the leading edge contacts a detent frame. A plurality of precoded feeler arms is positioned to respond to a code; the code being the arrangement of notches in the leading edge of the object. A test signal is applied and if but only if the arrangement of notches corresponds to the predetermined code of the feeler arms, the detent frame will drop out of the path of travel of the object.

United States Patent Inventor Earl E. Brinning Detroit, Mich.

App]. No. 12,684

Filed Feb. 19, 1970 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee The Burroughs Corporation Detroit, Mich.

SENSING CODED PERIPHERY OF OBJECTS 17 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl ..235/6l.l1B, 271/56 Int. Cl. G06k 7/18, 006g 1/00 Field of Search 226/9, 45,

6, 24; 271/50, 56, 60; 235/61.l 12, 61.113, 61.11; 340/347 AD, 347 DA; 200/44, 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,239,217 3/1966 Davis 271/56 3,356,364 12/1967 Grigereit 271/50 3,511,975 5/1970 Blair et al. 235/61.11 3,322,261 5/1967 Jensen 271/56 Primary Examiner-Thomas A. Robinson Attorneys-Kenneth L. Miller and Flame, Arens, Hartz, Smith and Thompson ABSTRACT: Apparatus for sensing notches in the periphery of objects wherein an object is inserted into the apparatus until the leading edge contacts a detent frame. A plurality of preceded feeler arms is positioned to respond to a code; the code being the arrangement of notches in the leading edge of the object. A test signal is applied and if but only if the arrangement of notches corresponds to the predetermined code of the feeler arms, the detent frame will drop out of the path of travel of the object.

PATENTEB JAN 4 I972 SHEET 3 [1F 5 mvnmon EARL E. BRINNING AGENT PATENTEU JAN 41912 SHEET U [1F 5 mvmwoa EARL E. BRINNING AGENT PATENTEB JAN 4m:

SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR EARL E. BRINNING AGENT SENSING CODED PERIPHERY OF OBJECTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to sensing notches in the periphery of objects. It is particularly useful when the object is a document and when the apparatus is employed in conjunction with a machine for reading the information on the document. In such a system the document may have a plurality of notches in the leading edge or the document may have one or more notched or chamfered comers. Where the document has one or more chamfered corners, the apparatus can be used to determine the orientation of the document. In view of this particular utility, the invention will be described as being incorporated in one species of such a machine machine-a machine for sensing the orientation of a document based on the presence or absence of notched corners (chamfered comers) prior to the input to a document reader.

In this era of high-speed computers it is commonplace for data to be stored on magnetic tapes or discs. Usually it is necessary to update this data and, for this purpose, punched cards are commonly used. However when a stack of punched cards is introduced into the card reader if any of the cards are incorrectly inserted, either erroneous data will be read into the computer or the card reader mechanism may jam causing delays and possibly mechanical damage to the card reader.

In another environment where a credit card, punched card, or identification card or badge may be used, a similar problem exists. Where an employee identification card is used with an electronic sensor as part of an access system, where a credit card or other identification care is used to make purchases,

and, in a banking environment, where the card is used to make deposits or withdrawals semiautomatically, the correct orientation of the card is essential for the same reasons. Also, in banking environment, when a teller wishes to ascertain the balance in a particular account it may be the practice to insert a punched card into a card reader which will give the tellers location and, in addition, use a keyboard to introduce data representative of the particular account being queried. Again, in these environments the wrong insertion of a card or the misorientation of the card could result in either erroneous information being read in, or damage to the system or both.

Devices which sense the leading or trailing edge of a card or other document are quite common. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,433,120, I-Iarrold, a card sensor is disclosed which detects the leading edge of the card and after the card reaches the stop position the leading edge moves the feeler arm out of the path of travel. However, with apparatus of this nature, there is no way of indicating if the card is being inserted the right side up, trailing edge first, or leading edge first.

Often, in computer operation, the documents have a notched or chamfered comer. The machine operator takes the stack of documents and visually orients them so that all the chamfered comers are aligned. Then the stack is inserted into the hopper of the document reader. However, this manual operation is subject to the inefficiency of the operator and a document will still be inserted incorrectly causing the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, with these prior art problems in mind, the invention contemplates the solution of these problems by providing a new and improved document orientation sensing apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for sensing notches in the periphery of an object.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for responding to a particular arrangement of variations in the periphery of an object.

It is a further object of this invention to prevent a misoriented document from being fed to a document reader.

These and other objects and advantages are accomplished in an apparatus including a detent frame for stopping the leading edge of the object and feeler arms mounted for independent rotation. At the bottom of each feeler arm there is a coded slot which defines an operative and an inoperative position. These positions cooperate with permanent stops and each feeler arm is responsive to the presence or absence of a notch in the leading edge of the object. When the arrangement of notches corresponds to the predetermined code the coded operative positions are properly aligned with respect to the stops and, upon application of a testing signal, the feeler arms and detent frame will drop out of the path of travel of the object. In a preferred embodiment the object is a document and the notches are in the comers of the document which creates a chamfered comer. One feeler arm moves to the operative position only in response to the presence of one corner of the document and the other feeler arm remains in the operative position only to response to the absence of the opposite corner of the leading edge of the document. Hence, the apparatus is electronically equivalent to a two input AND gate having one input line inverted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention,

use, will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention read in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals identify corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a partial top view illustrating the rest position of the sensing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a portion of the sensing apparatus when a document is inserted correctly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged illustration of the feeler arms of the sensing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus when a document is inserted correctly;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus allowing a document to be fed past the sensing station;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus when a document is inserted incorrectly;

FIG. 9 is a partial front elevation of FIG. 8 taken just behind feeler arm 15;

FIG. I0 is a partial top view of the apparatus when a document is inserted incorrectly; and

FIG. 11 is another partial top view of the apparatus when a document is inserted incorrectly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, a top view illustrating the linear relationship between portions of the sensing apparatus at rest will be explained. The apparatus includes a platform or table 11 upon which a punched card, badge, credit card or other document is placed. Several openings or apertures are provided in the table 11. protruding up through these apertures are the tops of two arcuate independently rotatable feeler arms 15, 15 and the tops l7, 19 of a detent frame 21 (shown in detail in FIG. 4). A guide rail 23 may be provided on one side of the table for aligning the document. If a document having no notched or chamfered corner is inserted from right to left, the leading edge will contact the feeler arms 15, 15' at approximately the same time. As the insertion of document continues it will contact both tops l7, 19 of detent frame 21 at the same time.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the sensing apparatus when a document 25 is correctly inserted. The document is inserted from right to left. At the right end of the apparatus is the supply of documents (not shown) and at the left end is a document reader (not shown). The terminology right side and left side, when used in referring to various elements of the apparatus, is to be construed relative to the aforementioned direction of insertion of a document.

The left or leading edge 27 of document 25, and more particularly the nonchamfered comer 29, rotates feeler arm 15 counterclockwise (shown in FIG. as the document is inserted until the leading edge 27 ultimately is stopped by the tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21. Shown in dotted lines is the opening 30 in the table 11 which permits the top of feeler arm to protrude above the table. The notched or chamfered comer 31 of document 25 does not contact feeler arm 15. The tolerance of the apparatus is such that a slight contact would not defeat the operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the feeler arms 15, 15 which may be considered sensing means. Each sensing means includes an arcuate portion 33, 33' and a base 35, 35. The feeler arms are mounted for independent rotation on shaft 37. Each feeler arm may be an integral unit with arcuate portion 33 counterbalanced by base 35. Each base 35, 35' includes a slot 39, 39 having an interior shoulder 41, 41'. The orientation of shoulder 41 with respect to slot 39 is opposite to the orientation of shoulder 41 with respect to slot 39. Each base may be thought of as being coded, i.e., having multiple positions. Referring to feeler arm 15 the long side 43 of slot 39 together with the opposite interior shoulder 41 define a long or operative position 45. The short side 47 of slot 39 together with shoulder 41 define a short or inoperative position 49. Similarly, with reference to feeler arm 15, The long side 43 of slot 39 together with the opposite interior shoulder 41 define a long or operative position 45 and the short side 47 together with shoulder 41 define a short or inoperative position 49' As shown in FIG. 3, the location of the operative and inoperative positions in the base of feeler arm 15 is reversed relative to the location of the operative and inoperative positions in the base of feeler arm 15 providing a plurality of coded positions. These reversed locations of the operative and inoperative positions of the feeler arms 15, 15 will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 4 through 7, the various elements of the sensing apparatus along with their operation will be explained. In each of FIGS. 4-7, it is assumed that the document 25 is properly oriented, i.e., the desired arrangement or code of notches is the absence of a notch at corner 29 and the presence of a notch or chamfer at corner 31. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a perspective view and an elevation, respectively, of the apparatus as the document is being inserted. Guide rail 23 is omitted for clarity. As discussed previously, the base 35 of feeler arm 15 has its operative position 45 to the left of inoperative position 49. Base 35 of feeler arm 15' has operative and inoperative positions which are reversed relative to those -of feeler arm 15. That is, the operative position 45 is to the right of the inoperative position for feeler arm 15' as shown in FIG. 4.

The tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 are vertically disposed and connected together by a horizontally disposed member 51. Lever 53 is horizontally disposed perpendicular to member 51 and the left end of lever 53 is connected to member 51. Lever 53 is oriented parallel to the direction of movement of a document 25 and has its axis or fulcrum 55 intermediate its ends. Middle lever 57 is joumaled at one end on shaft 37. The other end of lever 57 has an elbow portion 58. Lever 57 is disposed below lever 53 and has its fulcrum or axis of rotation 59 intermediate its ends for acting on shaft 37 to lower arms 15 and 15'.

Beneath levers 53 and 57 is bottom lever 61 having its axis or fulcrum 63 intermediate its ends. The relative location of the levers at rest is as follows. Top lever 53 is offset behind middle lever 57 and has its right end in contact with elbow 58. Bottom lever 61 is offset behind middle lever 57 and the left end of lever 61 is in contact with the elbow 58 of lever 57. At the right end of lever 61 there is a key 65 and a switch 67 is disposed below the key.

Permanently affixed to base 69 of the document sensing apparatus are two stops '71, 71'. Stop 71 is oriented to cooperate with the operative and inoperative positions 45, 49 of feeler arm 15 and stop 71 is similarly oriented to cooperate with the positions 45', 49' of feeler ann 15. Spring 73 urges feeler arm 15 in a clockwise direction and stop 71 normally abuts shoulder 41 and short side 47 of slot 39 (FIG. 3). Therefore, the stop 71 normally abuts the inoperative position 49 which prevents feeler arm 15 from moving vertically downward. A second spring 73 urges feeler arm 15 in a clockwise direction and stop 71 normally is vertically disposed below the long or operative position 45 of feeler arm 15 Therefore feeler arm 15 normally could move vertically downward.

Spring 75 is affixed to the right end of lever 57 and to the base 69 of the apparatus and urges the lever in a clockwise direction about its axis 59.

As the document is inserted, corner 29 contacts the protruding end of feeler arm 15 and rotates feeler arm 15 counterclockwise about shaft 37. This counterclockwise rotation aligns the long or operative position 45 above stop 71. At the same time, the chamfered corner 31 does not contact the top of feeler arm 15' and feeler arm 15' remains in its initial position with the long or operative position 45' disposed above stop 71'. As the document continues to be inserted, the leading edge 27 reaches the tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 and the travel of the document stops. At this time a testing signal is applied to determine if the arrangement of notches in the leading edge of the document corresponds to the desired arrangement, i.e., the predetermined code as reflected in the arrangement of slots in the bases of the sensing arms. In a preferred embodiment, this testing signal is applied by the partial depression of key end 65 of lever 61.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the key end 65 of lever 61 is partially depressed, lever 61 tends to rotate about its axis or fulcrum 63 in a clockwise direction. As lever 61 so rotates its left end pushes up on the elbow 58 of lever 57. Since lever 57 has its fulcrum 59 intermediate its ends, the upward or counterclockwise rotational force imparted at the right end (elbow 58) thereof creates a corresponding downward or counterclockwise movement at the left end. The left end of lever 57, as previously explained, is journaled on shaft 37. The counterclockwise motion at the left end of shaft 57 tends to move the shaft 37 downward and, as a consequence, tends to urge the feeler arms 15, 15 downward. Since the stop 71 is now properly aligned with the long or operative position 45 of feeler arm 15 and since the stop 71' remained properly aligned with the long or operative position 45 of feeler arm 15, the urging of lever 57 will move the feeler arms 15 and 15 downward with respect to the location of the stops 71, 71.

Since the counterclockwise rotation of lever 57 and downward movement of feeler arms 15, 15 have not been resisted by contact with stops 71, 71, the upward motion of the right end or elbow 58 of lever 57 imparts an upward or counterclockwise motion to the right end of top lever 53. Since the lever 53 has its fulcrum or axis of rotation 55 intermediate its ends, this upward motion at the right end has its corresponding downward or counterclockwise motion at the left end. The counterclockwise or downward motion at the left end lowers arm or member 51 thereby moving the tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 below the path of travel of the document 25. Since none of the levers has resisted rotational movement the continued depression of key 65 causes it to contact switch 67. The switch is coupled to a motor (not shown) which initiates the rotation of a drive roller 77. The rotation of drive roller 77 is in a clockwise direction and feeds the document 25 into the reader. (FIGS. 4 and 5). Once the detent frame is lowered the document may be fed manually if desired.

After the document has been fed to the reader, the key 65 is released. Spring 75 urges lever 57 in a clockwise direction to its rest position thereby moving shaft 37 and feeler arms 15, 15 vertically upward with respect to the location of stops 71, 71'. The clockwise rotation of lever 57 causes a counterclockwise rotation of lever 61 (because of the contact with elbow 58) thereby restoring lever 61 to its rest position. A second spring 79, affixed to the right end of lever 53, urges lever 53 in a clockwise direction to its rest position thereby raising the tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 vertically upward through the apertures in table 11. Springs 73, 73 urge feeler arms 15, in a clockwise direction to their respective rest positions. Hence the apparatus has returned to its rest position of FIG. 1.

There are three wrong coded conditions (arrangements of the notched or chamfered corner of document which could be presented to the sensing mechanism. Specifically, the document could have no chamfered comer, two chamfered comers, or the location of the chamfered corner reversed. These situations will be treated in order.

First, consider the action of the sensing mechanism if the document has no notched or chamfered corner. (This is the same if the trailing edge of the document is inserted first or if it were an improperly machined document.) It is desired that this document not reach the read station. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, if there are no chamfered corners, regular comers 29, 29' of the leading edge 27 of document 25 will contact and rotate both feeler arms 15, 15' as the document is inserted. This will cause the counterclockwise rotation of feeler arm 15 such that the long or operative position 45 will be aligned above stop 71. However, the contact with feeler arm 15 will cause a similar rotation of feeler arm 15 such that the short or inoperative position 49 will be aligned above stop 71. Then, when document reaches tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 and the testing signal is applied, key 65 will not depress fully to contact switch 67.

Note that in the partial front elevation of FIG. 9 the front feeler arm 15 and stop 71 have been omitted. This is to illustrate that as feeler arm 15' is rotated by the document, the base 35 rotates such that the inoperative or short position 49' is aligned above stop 71 to prevent subsequent vertically downward movement of the feeler arms.

Although the testing signal or partial depression of key 65 urges the left end of bottom lever 61 upward, this is resisted by the right end of middle lever 57. The resistance is created by the resistance of the stop member 71 in contact with shoulder 41 which prevents the feeler arm 15 from being moved vertically downward. This resistance prevents counterclockwise rotation of lever 57, and also prevents counterclockwise rotation of lever 53 thereby preventing vertical downward movement of detent frame 21. Hence tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 remain in the path of travel of the document and the resistance to rotation of levers 57 and 53 limit the amount of clockwise rotation of lever 61 such that key 65 does not contact switch 67 The second erroneous condition is a document having two chamfered corners. The operation of feeler arm 15' when a chamfered comer 31 is adjacent thereto (proper operation) has already been explained with respect to FIGS. 2, 4-7. However, as seen in FIG. 10, the other chamfered comer 31 would never contact the top of feeler arm 15. Therefore, feeler arm 15 would never rotate in counterclockwise direction, but would remain in its rest position and the short or inoperative position 49 would continue to abut the stop 71 (FIG. 3). Therefore, in response to the partial depression of key 65 the lever 57 will not be able to move the feeler arms 15, 15' vertically downward with respect to the stops 71, 71 because of the contact of stop 71 with shoulder 41 of feeler arm 15. Again tops 17, 19 remain in the path of travel, rotation of lever 61 is limited such that key 65 would not contact switch 67 and the card is not fed to the reader.

The third erroneous condition would be the location of the chamfered corner reversed. If the card shown in FIG. 2 was inverted so that the chamfered corner 31 was opposite feeler arm 15, (the chamfered corner is now identified as 31 for clarity) the operation would be as follows. As seen in FIG. 11, feeler arm 15 would not be contacted by the chamfered corner 31', therefore it would not be rotated and the inoperative position 49 would remain aligned with stop 71. Corner 29' would contact and rotate feeler arm 15 and the short or inoperative position 49 would thus become aligned with stop 71. Therefore, upon depression of key 65, vertically downward motion of the feeler arms would be resisted by both stops.

The operation of the feeler arms, the short and long (inoperative and operative) positions of the slot and the stops may be considered as the mechanical equivalent of an electronic AND gate with an inverted input line. As is well-known, an AND gate so configured with an inverter responds to the simultaneous presence of a first condition and absence of a second condition. The configuration will not respond to any other set of conditions. In the particular embodiment described the AND gate inverter configuration responds to the first condition (that is, the presence of the corner 29 opposite feeler arm 15) and the absence of a second condition (that is the absence of a corner which is the presence of a chamfered or notched comer 31 opposite feeler arm 15 DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS Referring back to the correct operation of the sensing apparatus as discussed with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, the correct code of notches in the periphery of the document was the absence of a notch at corner 29 and the presence of a notch or chamfer at corner 31. This arrangement of notches had the effect of rotating feeler arm 15 such that its long or operative position 45 became aligned above stop 71 and failing to rotate feeler arm 15 such that its long or operative position 45' remained aligned above stop 71. Because of the reversed relative position of the operative and inoperative notches in feeler arm 15 and feeler arm 15, as seen in FIG. 3, it was necessary that only feeler arm 15 be rotated. If it is desired to modify this apparatus such that the desired code or arrangement of notches was two notched or chamfered corners then two feeler anns 15' should be used instead of one feeler arm 15 and one feeler arm 15. When two feeler arms 15 are used then neither feeler arm would be rotated because of the two chamfered corners but both feeler arms 15 would have their long or operative positions 45 remaining aligned above the respective stops.

In the absence of one or the other or both chamfered corners, the corresponding feeler arm would be rotated such that the short or inoperative position 49 would be aligned above the stop. Hence, only a document having two notches or two chamfered comers would create the appropriate condition and be fed to the card reader.

Thus, it may be seen that the feeler arms can be selected for any predetermined arrangement of notches. A feeler arm 15 should be used where the absence of a notch is required and a feeler arm 15 should be used where the presence of a notch is required. In this manner, the feeler arms provide a plurality of coded means for sensing the coded periphery of objects.

For example, if the leading edge had five positions and the predetermined code or arrangement was to have notches in the first, fourth and fifth positions then five feeler arms mounted on shaft 37 would be used. A feeler arm 15 in each of the first, fourth and fifth positions where the notches should occur and a feeler arm 15 in both the second and third positions where a notch should not occur. If the inserted docu ment has the correct code or arrangement of notches, then the appropriate feeler arms 15 (in locations 2 and 3) will be rotated to align each operative position 45 with its stop 71 and the first, fourth and fifth feeler arms (15') will not be rotated and their operative positions 45' will remain aligned above their respective stops. Clearly, therefore, any number of feeler arms and stops can be used depending upon the code of notches desired in the leading edge of the document.

Since the series of feeler arms will respond only to the correct condition or arrangement of notches, any incorrect arrangement of notches or incorrect code, including that caused by a mutilated edge of the document, would not permit that document to be fed into the document reader. By the same token this apparatus is not restricted to the use of a document sensing device but can be used to sense the code or arrangement of notches in the leading edge of any object. The object need not have a straight leading edge but could take any predetermined shape. However, for ease in operation, it is preferred that shaft 37 correspond to the shape of the leading edge of the object such that each feeler am will be in the proper relative position to sense the coded notches in the leading edge of the object.

In addition, if it is desired to automate this procedure, then a microswitch of conventional nature could be placed on one or both of the tops 17, 19 of detent frame 21 in a position such that leading edge 27 of the object will contact (close) the microswitches. Contracting or closing the microswitches would operate a mechanical linkage to depress key 65 to provide the testing signal. Therefore, it is clear that various modifications can be made to the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein described.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for sensing the condition of the advancing edge of an object in a path of travel comprising:

detent means for normally blocking said path of travel,

a plurality of sensing means normally extending into positions in said path of travel in advance of said detent means and being movable by individual portions of the advancing edge of said object, said advancing edge at said detent means defining a coded arrangement of said sensing means,

a corresponding plurality of coded means, each being integral with an positionable by an individual one of said sensing means, and

means cooperating with said coded means for permitting said object to proceed along said path of travel if but only if said coded means are in a predetermined arrangement of positions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said sensing means is generally arcuate in shape, and each of said coded means counterbalances one of said sensing means.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein of each of said sensing means is mounted for independent rotation and is resiliently urged to said normally extended position.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said sensing means is moved out of said path of travel by the presence of corresponding portions of said advancing edge.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said detent means is resiliently urged into said path of travel.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to no notched corners on the advancing edge of said object.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to a specified notched comer on the advancing edge of said object.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to two notched corners on the advancing edge of said object.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein:

each of said coded means has a rest state and an activated state, and

each of said coded means is moved from its rest state to its activated state by the movement of its corresponding sensing means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein:

said coded means has operative and inoperative positions, said permitting means includes a plurality of permanent stops, each of said stops being associated with one of said coded means, and

said arrangement of positions is defined as the location of the operative position of each coded means relative to its associated stop when said advancing edge is at said detent means.

1 ll. The device of claim 10 wherein:

each of said coded means includes a slot having an interior shoulder, said shoulder cooperating with the adjacent side of said slot to define said inoperative position, and said shoulder cooperating with the opposite side of said slot to define said operative position.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said permitting means includes:

means for testing the position of each of said coded means,

said testing means being operable for moving all of said sensing means out of said path of travel and for retracting said detent means from said path of travel if but only if said coded means is in said predetermined arrangement of positions.

13. The device of claim 12 and further including:

means for further advancing said object past said sensing means and said detent means if but only if said coded means is in said predetermined arrangement of positions.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said testing means includes:

first, second and third levers,

said first lever for receiving a testing signal and transmitting said testing signal to said second lever,

said second lever for simultaneously moving all of said sensing means out of said path of travel unless resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means,

said second lever for further transferring a force to said third lever if but only if said second lever is not resisted by said coded means, and

said third lever for retracting said detent means out of said path of travel.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein said testing means includes:

means for simultaneously moving said plurality of sensing means out of said path unless resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said testing means further includes:

means for moving said detent means out of said path unless said testing means is resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means.

117. The device of claim 15 wherein the resistance of said inoperative position is caused by the contact of said shoulder and said permanent stop.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTEFIQATE GE QURRECTION Patent 3,632,991 Dated January 4, 1972 Inventor(s) Earl E. Brinning It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Data page As "Assignee" change "The Burroughs Corporation" to --Burroughs Corporetion;

As "Attorneys" delete "and Plante, Arens, Hartz Smith and Thompson";

Col. 1, line 14 delete "machine" (second occurrence);

line 3]. "care" should be --card;

line 57 "will" should be -may-;

Col. 3, line 26 "The" should be -the---.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MOFLETCHERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents RM Po-105o 10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-5 69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE i969 O-366-334 

1. A device for sensing the condition of the advancing edge of an object in a path of travel comprising: detent means for normally blocking said path of travel, a plurality of sensing means normally extending into positions in said path of travel in advance of said detent means and being movable by individual portions of the advancing edge of said object, said advancing edge at said detent means defining a coded arrangement of said sensing means, a corresponding plurality of coded means, each being integral with and positionable by an individual one of said sensing means, and means cooperating with said coded means for pErmitting said object to proceed along said path of travel if but only if said coded means are in a predetermined arrangement of positions.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein: said sensing means is generally arcuate in shape, and each of said coded means counterbalances one of said sensing means.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein of each of said sensing means is mounted for independent rotation and is resiliently urged to said normally extended position.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said sensing means is moved out of said path of travel by the presence of corresponding portions of said advancing edge.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said detent means is resiliently urged into said path of travel.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein: said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to no notched corners on the advancing edge of said object.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein: said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to a specified notched corner on the advancing edge of said object.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein: said predetermined arrangement of positions corresponds to two notched corners on the advancing edge of said object.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein: each of said coded means has a rest state and an activated state, and each of said coded means is moved from its rest state to its activated state by the movement of its corresponding sensing means.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein: said coded means has operative and inoperative positions, said permitting means includes a plurality of permanent stops, each of said stops being associated with one of said coded means, and said arrangement of positions is defined as the location of the operative position of each coded means relative to its associated stop when said advancing edge is at said detent means.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein: each of said coded means includes a slot having an interior shoulder, said shoulder cooperating with the adjacent side of said slot to define said inoperative position, and said shoulder cooperating with the opposite side of said slot to define said operative position.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said permitting means includes: means for testing the position of each of said coded means, said testing means being operable for moving all of said sensing means out of said path of travel and for retracting said detent means from said path of travel if but only if said coded means is in said predetermined arrangement of positions.
 13. The device of claim 12 and further including: means for further advancing said object past said sensing means and said detent means if but only if said coded means is in said predetermined arrangement of positions.
 14. The device of claim 12 wherein said testing means includes: first, second and third levers, said first lever for receiving a testing signal and transmitting said testing signal to said second lever, said second lever for simultaneously moving all of said sensing means out of said path of travel unless resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means, said second lever for further transferring a force to said third lever if but only if said second lever is not resisted by said coded means, and said third lever for retracting said detent means out of said path of travel.
 15. The device of claim 12 wherein said testing means includes: means for simultaneously moving said plurality of sensing means out of said path unless resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein said testing means further includes: means for moving said detent means out of said path unless said testing means is resisted by said inoperative position of at least one of said coded means.
 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the resistance of said inoperative position is caused by the contact of said shoulDer and said permanent stop. 